MARCH MADNESS BAD BEATS BLOG: UCLA breaks up day for favorites

Four spots remain for the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament, and No. 1 overall seed Gonzaga aims to claim one of them today.

The Bulldogs are heavy favorites against No. 5 Creighton in the West Region semifinals. The winner will face the victor of the Pac-12 showdown between No. 6 Southern California and No. 7 Oregon.

In the East Region, No. 1 Michigan faces a formidable test from No. 4 Florida State, and No. 2 Alabama will try to end the surprise run of No. 11 UCLA.

We’ll be following the action from all the NCAA Tournament games. Refresh this blog throughout the day to track bad beats, movement on the live betting line, props, halftime bets and much more.

UPDATES

9:05 p.m.: That’s it for today. Favorites went 3-1 against the spread. East No. 11 seed UCLA (+260) scored an outright upset of No. 2 Alabama in overtime. Totals split 2-2, though UCLA-Alabama would have stayed under in regulation.

Betting results for every game today — full game, first half and second half — are listed at the bottom of this story.

Thanks for reading. We’ll be back Monday for the first two games of the Elite Eight.

8:55 p.m.: USC-Oregon player props: USC’s Evan Mobley under 16½ points (10), Tahj Eaddy over 12½ points (20); Oregon’s Chris Duarte over 15½ points (21), Will Richardson under 11½ points (five).

8:54 p.m.: The largest lead by either team was over 13½ points. USC was +340 to win by 11 or more. The Trojans were +575 at BetMGM to win by 11 to 15 points. USC also covers the alternate line of -9½ (+295).

8:53 p.m.: FINAL: Southern California 82, Oregon 68. The West No. 6 seed Trojans build a big lead and cruise to the cover as 2-point favorites, -135 ML against the No. 7 Ducks. The game goes over 138½. USC will face No. 1 Gonzaga in the Elite Eight. USC goes over its team total of 70; Oregon pushes on 68 with a basket in the final minute.

8:39 p.m.: USC finally stops the bleeding. Oregon cut the lead from 20 to nine, but the Trojans hit a 3 to push the lead to 72-60 with 3:20 left in the second half. USC is -10,000 on the live line (Oregon +2,000), spread -10½.

8:34 p.m.: Oregon is making a late push, cutting USC’s lead to 69-58 with 6:10 remaining.

8:28 p.m.: No significant changes. USC leads 69-54 with 7:35 left in the second half and is -50,000 on the live line (Oregon +3,000), spread -13½, total 152½.

8:16 p.m.: USC is maintaining its edge. The Trojans lead 57-41 with 11:53 left in the second half and are -10,000 on the live line (Oregon +1,800), spread -13½, total 140½.

8:04 p.m.: USC is still cruising. The Trojans lead 52-35 with 15:37 left in the second half and are -4,500 on the live line (Oregon +1,300), spread -13½, total 142½.

7:58 p.m.: The second half is underway.

7:46 p.m.: Live line at halftime: USC -1,500 (Oregon +790), spread -12, total 138½.

7:38 p.m.: Second-half line: Oregon -3½, total 72½.

7:36 p.m.: HALFTIME: USC 41, Oregon 26. First-half winners: USC -1½, over 64½.

7:25 p.m.: USC is out to the early lead. The Trojans are up 33-21 with 3:47 left in the first half and are -850 on the live line (Ducks +540), spread -10½, total 138½.

7:15 p.m.: USC leads Oregon 23-19 with 6:40 left in the first half. The Trojans are -220 on the live line (Ducks +176), spread -4½, total 135½.

7:07 p.m.: Oregon won the race to 10 points at -105 and the race to 15 at +100, but USC leads 19-17 with 10:20 left in the first half. The Trojans are -164 on the live line (Ducks +134), spread -2½, total 145½.

7:02 p.m.: UCLA-Alabama player props: UCLA’s Johnny Juzang under 16½ points (13), Jaime Jaquez Jr. over 12½ points (17); Alabama’s Jaden Shackelford under 14½ points (four), John Petty Jr. over 11½ points (16).

6:59 p.m.: The largest lead for either team was under 15 points. UCLA was +775 at BetMGM to win by six to 10 points. The Bruins cover the alternate line of -3½ at +275.

6:56 p.m.: Overtime produced some awful bad beats, starting with Alabama -6½ in the second half. The Crimson Tide would have covered the number if that hadn’t hit a 3 at the buzzer to force OT. UCLA eventually pulled away to only lose by one in the second half (plus OT). The game also went over 144½ in overtime after being at 130 in regulation. And Alabama kept fouling to the bitter end, eventually going just over its team total of 76.

6:54 p.m.: FINAL: UCLA 88, Alabama 78 (OT). The East No. 11 seed Bruins win in overtime as 7-point underdogs, +260 ML against the No. 2 Crimson Tide. The game goes over 144½ in OT after landing at 130 in regulation. UCLA will face No. 1 Michigan in the Elite Eight. Both teams go over their team totals in OT: UCLA 69½, Alabama 76.

6:48 p.m.: The last game is about to tip off:

— No. 6 Southern California (-2, 138½, -135) vs. No. 7 Oregon (+115), 6:45 p.m.

6:42 p.m.: And under 144½ bettors die with about a minute and a half to go in overtime. UCLA leads 77-70.

6:37 p.m.: Alabama is the -162 favorite going to overtime (UCLA +132).

6:31 p.m.: Wow. Alabama forces overtime on a 3 at the buzzer. The game is tied at 65.

6:18 p.m.: Alabama is clinging to a 61-60 lead with 1:00 remaining. UCLA has the ball.

6:09 p.m.: Tight game down the stretch. The teams are tied at 60 with 2:26 left in the second half. Alabama is -245 on the live line (UCLA +194).

5:56 p.m.: Alabama has tied it. The game is knotted at 51 with 7:07 left, and the Crimson Tide are going to the free-throw line. Alabama is -260 on the live line (UCLA +205), spread -3½, total 133½.

5:46 p.m.: Alabama is on the comeback trail. The Crimson Tide scored the first 11 points of the half to tie the game at 40, but UCLA is back out to a 46-42 lead with 11:10 left in the second half. The Bruins are -162 on the live line (Alabama +132), spread -2½, total 134½.

5:31 p.m.: Alabama gets back into it with a 7-0 run to start the second half. UCLA leads 40-36 with 16:34 left in the second half, but the Crimson Tide are favored again at -130 (Bruins +106), spread -1½, total 140½.

5:26 p.m.: The second half is underway.

5:25 p.m.: Live line at halftime: UCLA -230 (Alabama +184), spread -4, total 145½.

5:07 p.m.: Second-half line: Alabama -6½, total 77.

5:05 p.m.: HALFTIME: UCLA 40, Alabama 29. First-half winners: UCLA +4, over 67, UCLA +190 ML.

4:53 p.m.: UCLA takes the lead. The Bruins are up 30-27 with 3:33 left in the first half, but Alabama is still favored at -160 on the live line (UCLA +130), spread -2½, total 146½.

4:46 p.m.: UCLA is battling. Alabama leads 23-22 with 6:50 left in the first half. The Crimson Tide are -300 on the live line (Bruins +235), spread -5½, total 145½.

4:34 p.m.: Alabama leads UCLA 17-9 with 11:17 left in the first half. The Crimson Tide are -750 on the live line (Bruins +490), spread -10½, total 141½.

4:24 p.m.: Alabama has an early challenge. SEC player of the year Herbert Jones picked up two quick fouls and is on the bench.

4:23 p.m.: Alabama and UCLA are tied at 7 with 15:12 left in the first half. The Crimson Tide are -265 on the live line (Bruins +210), spread -5½, total 142½.

4:13 p.m.: Michigan-Florida State player props: Michigan’s Hunter Dickinson over 13½ points (14), Franz Wagner over 12½ points (13); Florida State’s M.J. Walker under 10½ points (10), Raiquan Gray under 12½ points (eight).

4:11 p.m.: The next game is about to tip off:

— No. 2 Alabama (-7, 144½, -310) vs. No. 11 UCLA (+260), 4:15 p.m.

4:06 p.m.: Michigan was +330 at Boyd Gaming to win by 11 or more. The Wolverines were 10-1 at BetMGM to win by 16 to 20 points. Michigan also covers the alternate line of -9½ (+280).

4:05 p.m.: FINAL: Michigan 76, Florida State 58. The East No. 1 seed Wolverines roll to the win and cover as 1½-point favorites, -125 ML against the No. 4 Seminoles. The game stays under 140½. Michigan will face the winner of No. 2 Alabama and No. 11 UCLA in the Elite Eight. Michigan goes over its team total of 72½; Florida State stays under 70½.

3:45 p.m.: Michigan is rolling toward the Elite Eight. The Wolverines lead 60-43 with 7:18 left in the second half and are -16½ on the live spread, total 131½. The live line has been turned off.

3:38 p.m.: Michigan cashes largest lead over 13½ points by taking a 56-41 lead with 9:48 to play. The Wolverines are -10,000 on the live line (Florida State +2,200), spread -13½, total 135½.

3:32 p.m.: Michigan continues to hold off Florida State. The Wolverines lead 50-41 with 11:19 left in the second half and are -1,050 on the live line (Seminoles +630), spread -8½, total 135½.

3:21 p.m.: Michigan leads 40-30 with 15:47 left in the second half. The Wolverines are -1,200 on the live line (Florida State +680), spread -9½, total 131½.

3:13 p.m.: The second half is underway.

2:52 p.m.: Second-half line: Florida State -2½, total 74½.

2:50 p.m.: HALFTIME: Michigan 32, Florida State 21. First-half winners: Michigan -½, under 64.

2:39 p.m.: Michigan leads 27-16 with 3:52 left in the first half. The Wolverines are -620 on the live line (Florida State +430), spread -8½, total 130½.

2:32 p.m.: Michigan leads 23-14 with 6:43 left in the first half. The Wolverines are -400 on the live line (Florida State +300), spread -7½, total 134½.

2:23 p.m.: Michigan is taking control. The Wolverines lead 17-8 with 11:25 left in the first half and are -420 on the live line (Florida State +310), spread -7½, total 138½.

2:14 p.m.: Michigan leads 9-8 with 13:28 left in the first half. The Wolverines are -164 on the live line (Florida State +134), spread -2½, total 135½.

2:07 p.m.: Michigan and Florida State are tied at 4 with 15:51 left in the first half. Michigan is -130 on the live line (Florida State +106), spread -1½, total 135½.

1:56 p.m.: The next game is about to tip off:

— No. 1 Michigan (-1½, 140½, -125) vs. No. 4 Florida State (+105), 2 p.m.

1:26 p.m.: Bettors are hitting Florida State and the under. Went from +2½ to +1½ and 143 to 140½.

1:17 p.m.: We’ve got a gap until Michigan and Florida State tip off at around 2 p.m. Not sure why first two games are spaced out like that.

1:06 p.m.: Gonzaga-Creighton player props: Gonzaga’s Drew Timme over 18½ points (22), Jalen Suggs under 15½ points (nine); Creighton’s Marcus Zegarowski over 16½ points (19), Denzel Mahoney over 10½ points (13).

1:04 p.m.: Gonzaga was -180 at Boyd Gaming to win by 11 or more. The Bulldogs were +360 at BetMGM to win by 16 to 20 points.

1:03 p.m.: FINAL: Gonzaga 83, Creighton 65. The West No. 1 seed Bulldogs cruise to the cover as 12½-point favorites, -1,000 ML against the No. 5 Bluejays. The game stays under 159½. Gonzaga will face the winner of No. 6 Southern California and No. 7 Oregon in the Elite Eight. Both teams stay under their team totals: Gonzaga 86, Creighton 73.

12:56 p.m.: Just waiting for the final buzzer to sound. Gonzaga leads Creighton 80-59 with 2:57 left in the second half. The live spread is -22½.

12:46 p.m.: Gonzaga is headed toward covering -12½. The Bulldogs lead Creighton 74-51 with 7:11 left in the second half and are -24½ on the live spread, total 152½.

12:34 p.m.: Gonzaga surges to a 62-42 lead with 11:15 left in the second half, clinching a Circa prop for the largest lead by either team over 19½ points. The Bulldogs are -20½ on the live spread, total 148½ (live line turned off).

12:25 p.m.: Gonzaga is cruising. The Bulldogs lead 51-35 with 15:52 left in the second half and are -100,000 on the live line (Creighton +3,000), spread -18½, total 151½.

12:18 p.m.: The second half is underway.

11:58 a.m.: Second-half line: Gonzaga -4½, total 84.

11:56 a.m.: HALFTIME: Gonzaga 43, Creighton 33. First-half winners: Gonzaga -7, over 75 (barely).

11:46 a.m.: Gonzaga has extended its lead to 37-27 with 3:52 left in the first half. The Bulldogs are -5,000 on the live line (Creighton +1,500), spread -15½, total 163½.

11:38 a.m.: Gonzaga is staying a step ahead. The Bulldogs lead 32-25 with 7:52 left in the first half and are -3,500 on the live line (Creighton +1,200), spread -14½, total 173½.

11:30 a.m.: The teams are getting up and down. Gonzaga leads 27-22 with 10:26 left in the first half, and the Bulldogs are -2,200 on the live line (Creighton +980), spread -13½, total 175½.

11:19 a.m.: Gonzaga wins the race to 10 points at -195 and the race to 15 at -225. The Bulldogs lead Creighton 15-9 with 15:45 left in the first half. Gonzaga is -3,000 on the live line (Bluejays +1,120), spread -15½, total 168½.

11:06 a.m.: The first game is about to tip off:

— No. 1 Gonzaga (-12½, 159½, -1,000) vs. No. 5 Creighton (+650), 11:10 a.m.

10:58 a.m.: Here is the biggest line move this morning:

Gonzaga-Creighton total from 158 to 159

TODAY’S SCHEDULE

West Region

— No. 1 Gonzaga 83, No. 5 Creighton 65

Full-game winners: Gonzaga -12½, under 159½, Gonzaga -1,000 ML

First-half winners: Gonzaga -7, over 75 (Gonzaga 43-33)

Second-half winners: Gonzaga -4½, under 84 (Gonzaga 40-32)

— No. 6 Southern California 82, No. 7 Oregon 68

Full-game winners: USC -2, over 138½, USC -135 ML